MUNICIPALITY OF IMUS, CAVITE, Historical Data of Part 1

PART I

Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV

About these Historical Data

The transcription of this page was done using AI technology.

[p. 1]

HOW IMUS GOT ITS NAME

It is an accepted idea that the Philippines had been conquered by Spain over four hundred years ago. The Spaniards invaded different nooks of the country, one of them Cavite. A group of Spanish soldiers took refuge at our Hacienda Barracks. They stayed there for a lapse of time living in abundance. When they left the place some aggressive Filipinos rushed to the barracks enthusiastically. With great surprise they found plenty of money and exclaimed "centimos". Since no definite name was given to the town during those dark days, a group of leaders derived this name Imus from centimos. From that time on Imus has its name up to the present.

Names of Presidents or Mayors of the Town of Imus

[p. 2]

I. Important facts, incidents, or events that took place in Imus, ---

1. During the American occupation and World War II
2. During and after World War II

II. Destruction of lives, properties and institution during wars especially in

1. 1896-1900
2. 1941-1944
3. Measures and accomplishments toward rehabilitation or reconstruction following World War II.

At the start of the Philippines Revolution in 1896, the Parish Priest, Father Jose Ma. Learte, the corps of the civil guards of Imus and some people close to the friars had concentrated themselves in the Hacienda with the Hacenderos and the brothers of the religious corporation living therein. In the meantime the revolutionary forces were attacking and surrounding the Hacienda. Pedro Bella, the bugler, sounded his bugle of attack continuously, thus frightened the Spaniards inside the Hacienda. On the following day the destruction of the northern span of the bridge was effected for strategic purposes. The revolutionists who died in this attack were Vicente Lagare of Bayan Luma.

I. In the early part of the Philippines Revolution, to be more specific, in the year 1897, there were two forms of Revolutionary Government which were united into one single body against the common enemy, the Spaniards. Emilio Aguinaldo was elected as President of the governing body known as the Katipunan. After the election a commission was elected to notify Aguinaldo of his election. He was at Pasong Santol at that time preparing its defense against the Spaniards because the enemy were already being sighted and had already taken Silang and Dasmariñas, on its way to Imus. On the third day of his notification, Pasong Santol was attacked by the Spaniards.

[p. 3]

and took it. Many died in both the Filipino and the Spaniards. Among those who died in action were:

The battle of Alapan was an encounter between the Spanish Army and the loyal Filipino veterans. It took place in the barrio of Alapan on May 28, 1898. The Filipino officers who gave up their lives in this encounter were Captain Restituto Orcullo and Lieutenant Lucio Faumi who were both residents of the said barrio.

During the entire period of Japanese occupation in the Philippines, the Filipinos were entirely at the mercy of the Japanese militarists (soldiers). They could demand anything and non-compliance WITH their demand would mean deadhand self-destruction on the part of the inhabitants. The Filipinos were total slaves of the invading forces. The people of Imus as well as those in other places suffered much in terms of food, clothing, transportation and all other necessities of democratic ways of living. Every day during the occupation one cannot be sure as to whether or not he or she will still be alive the next day.

The municipal Mayor of Imus Dr. Elpidio Osteria was taken from his home on Dec. 4, 1944 by the Japanese forces. He was killed because he was against the Japanese administration. About the closing days of the occupation the Japanese forces instituted what is called the "Zona System" in almost all the towns and barrios all over the Philippines. Right here in Imus the zona was conducted in the Catholic Church on December 16, 1944, wherein

[p. 4]

all the male inhabitants, young and old, were herded together for the purpose of picking up all the former USAFFE and others suspected working against the occupation forces. Ten persons in Imus proper were picked out put in their wagons and brought to unknown destination and returned to their homes. They were all tortured and killed somewhere. Some of the bodies were recovered up to the present. The following were the persons picked out from Imus:

When the Liberating forces reached Imus the retreating Japanese in Imus soldiers destroyed the Lambingan Bridge. Not much property were destroyed in Imus because the Japanese soldiers caught unaware by the Liberating Forces. (American soldiers and Filipino guerillas).

After World War II the destroyed bridges and buildings were rehabilitated thru the aid of the United States War Damage Commission.

RELIGIOUS EVENTS

On the religious side the Spaniards gave us the priceless gift of our Christian religion. Religious orders that came here to Christianize out town are known as the Augustinian Recollects. As to exact date when they started their missionary work here we have no official records but we can be sure that they came here shortly after the arrival of the first Recollect group which arrived in the Philippines in 1606. Hand in hand with the Spanish "conquistadors" the missionaries spread their mission, and love and charity known to us as the Catholic Religion. In those days church and state to establish the Spanish rule and to bring about the conversion of our pagan ancestors to Christianity.

[p. 5]

The missionaries who settled here were not mainly occupied with bringing us the Christian religion. They believed in the axiom that "it is hard to preach to an empty stomach. So they taught our people better ways and means of agriculture. They introduced new seeds like corn and palay. They showed them the system of irrigation and the use of fertilizers. In short the missionaries gave our people whatever facilities and conveniences that they had at that time in Europe, in order to improve our economic, educational and political status. These improvements and growth of civilization in our place can well be seen if we compare our rule. The Moros boasted of never being under the Spanish yoke but they look with envy at our great Christian heritage and the culture and civilization that went with it.

The missionaries in order to facilitate their work of conversion formed religious confraternities among the new converts, and opened up schools. Usury, unjust enslavement, and polygamy were lessened by their efforts. Of particular interest even to our present day social workers is the missionaries method of eradicating alcoholic intemperance then the worst vice of our people. The means they used was social ostracism of the guilty party and pitiless publicity in the church.

In the church archive the earliest date that we found goes back to 1777 and Rev. Fr. Pedro de San Luis was the parish priest then. The last of the Spanish "Parroco" was Rev. Fr. Jose Ma. Learte (1880-1896). The poor Padre was brutally killed by the revolutionaries.

With the revolution from Spanish rule, Gregorio Aglipay made attempts also to nationalize the Filipino Church. The idea appeared very attractive at the time due to the revolutionary spirit that prevailed in those days. Aglipayanism had its beginning in our town in 1902 and at the start it spread like wild fire many joining its ranks, but it did not take a long time for our people to realize the falsity of the new religion. At present adherents to this

[p. 6]

religion counts of a very small minority of our town population. With the coming of the Americans came also Protestantism. Efforts to establish the new religion in our town started to our Catholic population. Like Aglipayanism its members are meager compared to our Catholic population. Catholicism which has been with us for almost 400 years has taken deep roots in our lives and this is the reason why all other religious sects that have come into our town have met with no success in their endeavor.

RIDDLES

1. Isda ko sa Maribeles nasa loob ang kaliskis. (sili)
2. May dalawang magkaibigan, unahan ng unahan. (Paa)
3. Bumbong kung araw, kung gabi'y karagatan. (banig)
4. Walang sala'y iginapos, niyapakan pagkatapos. (sapatos)
5. Isang balong malalim, punung-puno ng patalim. (bibig)
6. Nagtanim ako ng dayap, sa gitna ng dagat; Marami ang humanap, iisa ang nagkapalad. (dalag)
7. Ako'y nagtanim ng isip Sa ilalim ng tubig, dahon ay makikitid Bunga ay matutulis. (palay)
8. Hindi hayop, hindi tao, walang gulong ay tumatakbo. (agos ng tubig)
9. Dahong pinagbungahan, bungang pinagdahunan. (piña)
10. Isang bungbong na gugulong-gulong, naging manggagamot pagbangon. (ihip)
11. Kung araw ay nagtutulog, sa gabi'y naglilibot. (kuwago)
12. Hindi madangkal, hindi madipa, pinagtutuwangan ng lima. (karayom)
13. Nagsaing si Hudas, itinapon ang bigas, kinuha ang hugas. (gata ng niyog)
14. Maitim na parang tinta, pumuti ay hindi kinula. (uban)
15. Ng hawak ay patay, ng ihagis ay nabuhay. (turumpo)
16. Iisa-isa na, kinuha mo pa, ang natira ay dalawa. (tulya)
17. Alisto ka pandak, daratnan ka ng mabigat. (dikin)
18. Naibigan pa ang basag, kaysa buo't walang lamat. (kamatsili)

[p. 7]

19. Bulsiko ni kaka, punong-puno ng lisa. (kalamonding o dayap)
20. Bahay ng hari, libot ng tari. (puno ng suha o kalamunding)
21. Aso kong puti, inutusan ko ay hindi na umuwi. (dura)
22. Hayan na, hayan, hindi mo pa nakikita. (hangin)
23. Lahat, ako ang minamahal; mangaawit ang aking tatang, suot ko ay putian, ang puso ko ay dilaw. (itlog)
24. Buto't balat, nguni't lumilipad. (saranggola)
25. Ik, hindi naman biik mo, turingan mo. (ikmo)
26. Habilog, hapandak, hamata, hadilat. (atis)
27. Heto na, heto na, sa dahon nakikita. (hangin)
28. Ate ko, ate mo, at ng lahat ng tao. (atis)
29. Aling pagkain sa mundo, ang di pinagsasawaan ng tao. (kanin)
30. Gayong nag-iisa, lalarawan ng lahat na. (salamin)
31. Bahay ni kaka, hindi matingala. (noo)
32. Puno'y layu-layo, dulo'y tagpo-tagpo. (bahay)
33. Itagilid ma't itiwarik, hindi maligwak ang tubig. (tubo)
34. Kung kailan ko pa pinatay, saka humaba ang buhay. (kandila)
35. Ng wala pang ginto ay saka nagpalalo, ng magkaginto-ginto ay saka pa sumuko. (palay)
36. Bato na ang tawag ko, bato pa rin ang tawag mo, turingan mo kung ano. (bato-bato)
37. Isang pinggan, laganap sa buong bayan. (buwan)
38. May alaga akong hayop, malaki pa ang mata sa tuhod. (tutube)
39. Takba ng hari, binuksan ko'y hindi na nauli. (itlog)
40. Matibay ang luma kaysa bago. (gilapil)
41. Isda ko sa Maribeles nasa loob ang kaliskis. (sili)
42. Oo nga't sili, nasa loob ang aligi. (alimango)
43. Oo nga't alimango, nasa loob ang ulo. (pagong)
44. Oo nga't pagong, nasa loob ang tumbong. (niyog)
45. Oo nga't niyog, nasa loob ang buntot. (mangga)

[p. 8]

46. Oo nga’t mangga, nasa loob ang mata. (pinya)
47. Oo nga’t pinya, naghobo ng saya. (labong)
48. Bahay na gigiring, butas-butas ang dingding. (bistay)
49. Isang sinyorito, pulos may sumbrero. (bunga)
50. Kung saan masikip, doon nagpipilit. (labong)
51. Dumaan ang hari, ang mga tao ay nangagtali. (bagyo)
52. Pumuputok di naririnig, tumatama’y di masakit. (araw)
53. Tubig na pinagpala, walang makakuha kundi bata. (gatas ng ina)
54. Ang dulo’y namumulos, ang huli’y nagagapos. (karayom)
55. Baboy ko sa Sorsogon, kung di sakya di lalamon. (kudkuran)
56. Buhat sa puno hanggang dulo, pulos kuwarto. (kawayan)
57. Sa pitong magkatoto, lima ang naging santo. (Lunes Santo hanggang Biyernes Santo)
58. Sagana sa ugat, sagana sa dahon, kulang sa pamumulaklak. (kawayan)
59. Aling bagay dito sa mundo, ang laging lumuluha sa harap ng santo. (kandila)
60. Kahoy na dumikit sa tainga, taingang dumikit sa kahoy. (taingang kahoy)
61. Pantas ka man at marunong, ito’y turingan mo ngayon; Aling kahoy sa gubat, nagsasanga’y walang-ugat. (sunggay ng usa)
62. Nagtanim ako ng dayap sa gitna ng dagat, marami ang naghahanap, isa lamang ang nagkapalad. (pagliligawan)
63. Pantas ka man at maalam, angkan ka man ng paham, turan mo kung ano ang bapor nating sa katihan ay walang pinaglalagyan kundi ang gamit nating mahal. (prinsa)
64. Maitim na parang uwak, maputing na parang tagak, walang paa’y nakalalakad sa hari’y nakikipagusap. (sulat)
65. Ako’y may kaibigan kasama ko saan man, mapatubig ay hindi nalulunod, mapaapoy ay hindi nasusunog. (anino)
66. Tatlong magkakaibigan, magkakalayong bayan, kung magkainan ay nagkakaharapan. (ikmo, bunga at apog)
67. Hugis puso kulay ginto, mabango kung amuyin, masarap kung kainin. (mangga)
68. Umupo si maitim, sinulot ni mapula, nang malao’y kumara-kara. (sinaing)
69. May puno walang sanga, may dahon walang bunga. (sandok)

[p. 9]

70. Aling buntot ang may buntot? (lisa)
71. Tangnan mo ang buntot ko at sisisid ako. (lumbo)
72. Ako’y nagtanim ng granada sa gitna ng laguerta, pito ang puno, pito ang bunga, pitong pare ang nagunguha. (pitong sacramento)
73. Walang itak, walang kampit, gumagawa ng mahal na ipit. (gagamba)
74. Isang senyora nakaupo sa tasa. (kasoy)
75. Lumalakad walang paa, lumuluhang walang mata. (pluma)
76. Nang malaala’y naiwan, nadala ng malimutan. (amorsiko)
77. Nakaluhod kung gawin, nakasamba kung lutuin, nakatingala kung kainin. (tsokolate)
78. Kung maliit ay minamahal, kung lumaki ay pinupugutan. (palay)
79. Hindi hari, hindi pari, nagdadamit ng sarisari. (sampayan)
80. Mataas kung nakaupo, mabab kung nakatayo. (aso)
81. Hindi hayop, hindi tao, nagsasalita ng tagalog. (ponograpo)
82. Lumuluhang lumalakad, patay ang kinakausap. (pael at pluma)
83. Tubig na sakdal linaw na dinadala sa kamay. (yelo)
84. Lumalakad ay walang humihila, tumatakbo walang paa. (bangka)
85. May ulo ay walang mukha, may katawan walang sikmura namamahay na sadya. (palito ng posporo)
86. Aso kong si Pantaleon, lumukso ng pitong talon, umulit ng pitong gubat bago nagtanaw dagat. (sungkihan)
87. Tubig sa ining-ining di mahipan ng hangin. (tubig ng niyog)
88. Isda ko sa sapasapa susun-suson ang taba. (saha)
89. Eto na si Kaka may sunong na dampa. (pagong)
90. Duwag ako sa isa, matapang ako sa dalawa. (tulay ng kawayan)
91. Tabla magkabila alulod ang gitna. (dahon ng saging)
92. Bahay ni Ka Huli haligi’y bali-bali ang bubong ay kawali. (alimango)
93. Aling dahon dito sa mundo ang iginagalang ng tao? (watawat)
94. Ang anak ay nauupo na ang ina’y gumagapang pa. (kalabasa)
95. Puno ay buko-buko, dahon ay abaniko, bunga ay paraako, perdigones ang buto. (papaya)

[p. 10]

96. May binti walang hita, may tuktok walang mukha. (kabuti)
97. Dalawang balong malalim hindi maabot ng tingin. (tainga)
98. Kung araw, yumao ka, kung gabi halika. (bintana)
99. Nagsaing si Kurukutong kumukulo’y walang gatong. (bual ng sabon)

PUZZLES

1. What three numbers when added and multiplied together will give you the same result?
2. I saw a flock of birds. I shoot it and half of the flock fell. One half of the flock plus the whole flock itself plus one bird equals one hundred. How many birds are there in the flock?
3. I have twenty meters of cloth. Each day I cut one meter. How many days will it take me to cut the twenty meters of cloth?
4. Suppose you are a grocer. I went to your grocery and ordered for one yard of ham. When there is no ham that is one yard long, what are you going to do?
5. What is it that a woman does not have, did not have and never will have but still she can afford to give to a man?
6. If I own a peacock and this peacock laid its egg in your yard. Who has the right to claim the peacock’s egg?
7. What is the difference between a teacher and an engineer?
8. If I’m going to give you one centavo, my money and your money will be of the same amount. While if you’ll give me one centavo your money will be half my money. How much money do you have and how much money do I have?
9. When is a ship said to be not on water while it is on water?
10. How many sides has a circle?

SOLUTIONS

1. Nos. 1, 2, & 3
2. There are 66 birds in the flocks.
3. Nineteen days
4. Three feet of ham (3ft. = 1 yard)
5. A wife.
6. Nobody. A peacock does not lay egg, being a male bird. It is the peahen.

[p. 11]

7. The teacher trains the mind, while the engineer minds the train.
8. I have 7 centavos while you have five centavos.
9. When the ship is on fire.
10. Two sides, the inner and the other sides.

List of Proverbs

[p. 12]

33. Ang matibay na kalooban, lahat ay napagtagumpanan.
34. Kapag ang tao’y matipid, maraming maililigpit.
35. Kung ano ang masama sa iyo, huwag gawin sa kapwa mo.
36. Huli man daw at magaling ay naihahabol din.
37. Kung tunay na tubo, matamis hanggang dulo.
38. Sa maliit na dampa, nagmumula ang dakila.
39. Walang binhin masama sa mabuting lupa.
40. Nakikita ang butas ng karayom, hindi ang butas ng palakol.
41. Bago gawin ang sasabihin, makailang isipin.
42. Ang pagmamahal sa sarili ay nakabubulag.
43. Di man magmana ng ari, magmana ng ugali.
44. May tainga ang lupa, may pakpak ang balita.
45. Wika at batong ihagis, di na muling babalik.
46. Kung pinukol ka nang bato, ang iganti ma’y puto.
47. Ang di marunong magbata, walang hihinting ginhawa.
48. Ang taong mapagbulisan ay hinlog sa magnanakaw.
49. Walang matibay na baging sa mabuting maglambiting.
50. Walang mataas na bakod sa taong natatakot.
51. Ang maikli ay dugtungan, ang mahaba’y bawasan.
52. Pag ikaw ay nagparaan ay pararaanin ka naman.
53. Ang bayaning nasugatan ay nag-iibayo ang tapang.
54. Hindi lalaki ang daga kundi malaglag sa lupa.
55. Ang tatakot sawa ay huwag papasok sa gubat.
56. Malakas ang loob mahina ang tuhod.
57. Ang taong tamad ay lalakad ng hubad.
58. Kung sino ang masalita ay siyang kulang sa gawa.
59. Gawaing hindi dinadahandahan karamiwa’y nasasayang.
60. Ang hanap sa bula sa tubig nawawala.
61. Aanhin mo pa ang damo kung patay na si kabayo.
62. Huwag kang kasisiguro’t buriang’ may bumabagyo.
63. Pag ang punla mo ay hangin ay bagyo ang aanihin.
64. Walang matitimang birhen sa matiyagang manalangin.
65. Ang nagtitiis ng hirap ay may ginhawang hinihantad.
66. Walang masamang pluma sa mabuting lumetra.
67. Walang matiyagang lalake sa tumatakbong babae.
68. Ang bahay mo man ay bato kung ang tumitira’y kuwago mabuti pa ang isang kubo na ang nakatira’y tao.
69. Kapag nakabukas ang kaban natutukso kahit banal.
70. Ang magandang asal ang kaban ng yaman.
71. Patag na patag ang lupa, sa ilalim ay may lungga.
72. Ang gawa sa pagkabata ay dala hanggang sa tumanda.

[p. 13]

73. Ang pagsasabi ng tapat ay pagsasama ng maluhat.
74. Masahol ka pa sa ulol, kapag sa ulol ka pumatol.
75. Ang tapat na kaibigan sa gipit nasusubukan.
76. Hindi natutuloy ang pari kundi sa kapwa pari rin.
77. Minamahal habang mayroon, kung wala’y patapon-tapon.
78. Ano mang tibay ng piling abaka ay walang lakas kapag nag-iisa.
79. Matibay ang walis, kung balibhasa’y nabibigkis.
80. Ang magbigay ay gumagaang kapag napagtutuwangan.
81. Ang buhay ay parang gulong, magulong at makagulong.
82. Taong tapat maglingkuran, kahit puno’y gumagalang.
83. Ang paggalang sa kapwa ay di pagpapakababa.
84. Di masakit ang yumukod, ang masakit ay ang mauntog.
85. Ang tunay na pag-ibig hanggang dulo’y matamis.
86. Nagsisi ma’t huli wala nang mangyayari.

A FOLKTALE IN IMUS

A long time ago, here in Imus there lived a very brave man. He possessed such a characteristic that whenever he sees a beautiful woman, he would dare say danger just to have that woman. As time went on he was able to destroy not a few beautiful woman here and there. The people in this town both old and young began to hate and fear him. The brave father and many ardent lovers failed to catch him.

One day, this man was walking along in the plaza. The atmosphere was so sad and silent. Suddenly this man cited a woman with a child walking gracefully toward the church. The golden, long and curly hair of the woman was hanging. No woman in this town had made his heart jumped with joy upon seeing her. He entered the church to follow both the lady and the child. He tanked his lucky star to give him another opportunity to have and hold the woman he saw. His joy heightened when he learned that the lady went up to the choir. He thought his assurance was secured to know that even went up to the tower of the church. He was smiling with joy and ran up hurriedly. Upon reaching the tower the beautiful woman was a little distance within his reach-both the lady and the child disappeared. Right there in that spot he trembled with fear and promise to be good. Once more our most beloved patron NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL PILAR gave him a very nice lesson.

[p. 14]

A FOLKTALE IN IMUS

During the Spanish regime here in Imus our “Quartel” in Hacienda was occupied by the Spanish soldiers. Suddenly there was broke out between the Filipinos and Spaniards. In the course of the battle the Filipinos took hold of the “Quartel”. The Filipino soldiers were few against hundreds of the Spanish soldier during that time. The only weapon of the early Filipinos were bolos and very few guns which were bound inside the “Quartel”.

When several days had passed and the Filipinos were enjoying in the “Quartel”- suddenly someone saw many of the Spanish soldiers with arms just a few meters away from the Hacienda Bridge. Some of the Filipinos and the Spaniards on the bridge and fought there -the blood rolled like stream in the brook. Some Filipino soldiers did not leave the “Quartel”. In the course of their fight, many Filipinos fell dead and the Spanish soldiers were about to go forward but they were stopped by a lady-like formed soldier standing on the top of the wall of the hacienda fence waving at them a glazing sword. Her long and golden hair was hanging. Their eyes were blinded by her glazing attire and they couldn’t endure it anymore, so they retreated. Once more our town was saved by our Patron Saint.

METHODS OF MEASURING TIME

During dry season and at the peep of dawn the old folks could determine the time to be between 5:00 and 5:30 A. M.

It would be 12:00 o’clock at noon when the shadow of a person falls directly staright thru the body on the ground.

At the first crow of the roosters at night they would say it was 10:00 o’clock P. M.

At the second interval of the crow it would be 11:00 P. M.

Then at the first crow of the roosters at dawn it would be 4:00 A. M.

[p. 15]

During the early days people believed that when they got hungry at noon it is already 12:00.

In the afternoon when they see the sun sets they believed it is 6:00 P. M.

Marriage Customs and Traditions

1. The bride always makes it a point to be the first one to go up the house after the marriage ceremony. She never allows the bridegroom to be ahead of her for it is the belief that if the bridegroom will reach the house first he will rule the house while if it is the bride it will be the wife’s wishes to be followed.
2. The sponsor for the veil will take care that the veil does not fall. Pins the veil fast for if it falls it is the belief that the bride will not live long.
3. The month of February is not a good month for marriage because couple married in one of the days during the month becomes poor.
4. It is the belief that the couple who strongly resembles each other makes a successfull marriage. Those who have the same shape of face, same curve of nose, and brows will get along together nicely.
5. To bring prosperity and happiness throughout their wedded life it has been the customs to throw some rice to the newly weds after the ceremony in the church and upon reaching the house.
6. It is the belief that to sew one’s own wedding gown or to try the same before the wedding will bring bad luck. For some reasons or another the marriage ceremony may not be solemnized.
7. Single ladies or bachelors should not act as sponsor in marriage or they will not get married anyone.
8. After the marriage ceremony, the bouquet is thrown away. The lady who catches the bouquet will be married soon.

[p. 16]

9. The brothers or sisters should not be married within the same year. If this happens, one will not prosper in life.
10. During the marriage ceremony the candles should be kept burning. The putting out of the light of either one of the candles signifies early death for the one who owns the candle.
11. It is not good to get married during the period of mourning for either the pair. If this happens the couple will not have a happy life.
12. To insure the prosperity and success of a marriage life, the best time to get married is when there is a full moon.

Burial Customs and Traditions

1. The coffin should not touch the door or any furniture in the house when it is taken down. If this happens, some else in the house will die soon.
2. It is bad to sweep the house or yard when the body lies in state at the house. It is the belief that when this is done, it will rain. The cleaning of the house starts immediately as soon as the funeral procession has left the house.
3. Small children of the deceased are brought across the coffin by somebody before the interment. This is done so that the children will not follow their parents to the grave.

TRADITIONS REGARDING DEATH

When a Catholic person is in dilirium, a priest is called to admister the last rites of confession. A “manang” is beside the dying person and reciting prayers to clear his conscience. This prepares the person to meet his Creator.

[p. 17]

As soon as a person breathes his last, a handkerchief is tied around the hear to the jaw so that the mouth will be closed. If the eyes are open a centavo piece is placed on the eyelids so that after a while these will close. The knees are straightened at once to prevent becoming bent. The body is cleaned with warm water with some antiseptic. Then she is dressed. If the corpse is very thin, cotton is inserted in the mouth, so that he or she will appear stout. The hands are clasped and a crucifix or rosary is inserted depending on the sex. If a maiden dies, she is dressed in white with bridal flowers around the head. There are cases when stockings are worn but most often barefooted.

In the case of older persons, the color of the coffin is gray. For ladies, white, and for children, white and blue. The death is reported to the parish priest who in turns ask one sacristan to toll the bells. If the corpse is a woman, the high picth bell is tolled first. If the corpse is a man, it is vice versa. Then like the town crier of the olden days, one of the sacristans goes around the town and inform the people the person who died.

On the day of the burial, the funeral march varies with the age of the corpse. The older ones have somber music while the younger ones have a gay music furnished by the band. These days, phonograph records are utilized.

TRADITIONS REGARDING BIRTH

A newly born baby is given a warm bath to remove the oily segments. The feet are oiled to give the child resistance to cold. The child’s chord is placed in a big coconut shell. The old folks burry this in a place where the rain water falls hard. The idea is to have the child become a voracious eater so that he or she will be strong and healthy. There are times when

[p. 18]

newspapers and pencils are buried with the chord so that the child will become intelligent. When a needle and thread are buried with the chord, that will imply that the child will know how to sew when she grows. There are times when a mother of several children collects all the chords of her children and put them all together in a container. By so doing, they live in harmony. When they grow they will not quarrel with one another.

A child is first given purgative to make his or her internal organs clean by a voracious eater. People are of the belief that the children will also become voracious and will not choose foods when eating.

TRADITIONS REGARDING BAPTISM

A child is usually baptized when he or she is a month old. By that time the mother is strong enough to attend to the festivity. In cases of emergency as when the child is on the verge of death, any person in the household can get water and salt and sprinkle water on the child. The usual prayer “In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”. I baptize you by the name of ______________” are said.

If the child is a girl, the godmother provides the baptismal dress. If the child is a girl, the usual color of the dress is either white or pink. When a boy, it is either white or blue. The godmother pays the church fees and often times give “pakimkim” in the form of jewelry like necklace, ring or earring if not, she gives money. In case there is a co-sponsor, say a godfather, the godmother holds the baby while the godfather holds the feet of the baby. If the infant is a boy, it is vice versa. A baptismal party is held in the house of the baby. Relative, friends and neighbors drop in and everybody join the feast. These people also bring gifts for the newly baptized baby.

[p. 19]

SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS

The town of Imus is not lacking in beliefs that are unfounded. Progressive though it is some of its people, especially those belonging to the older generation, still believe in superstitious. Here are some of them:

1. It is not wise for anyone to sweep the yard in the late afternoon when the sun is about to set. A person who does this seldom recovers when he gets sick.
2. Children should not comb their hair at night. If they do this, their parents will die early.
3. When a person dreams that one of his morals is extracted, one of his near relatives will die.
4. The stairs of the house should not lead directly to the gate. If this is so, the family will encounter financial difficulties.
5. When celebrating one’s birthday anniversary, one should serve something long as “pansit” and should take the life of anything alive as killing a chicken. This helps to lengten one’s life.
6. A black butterfly, when it flies inside the house, is believed to bring news about the death of close relatives.
7. The falling of a spoon on the floor means the coming of an uninvited guest.
8. When both tips of a new moon are level, women with child will encounter difficulties during delivery.
9. One should not open one’s umbrella inside the house at night for a centipede will fall from the ceiling.
10. When there is a deceased person lying in state in one’s house, he should not allow anyone to sweep the floor or clean the house before the dead person is burried.

[p. 20]

11. Plates should not be placed one on top of the other when someone is still eating. Likewise, dishes should not be removed from the table unless everyone has finished eating.
12. Shoes, slippers or anything worn on the feet should not be given as gifts to friends as this would result in quarrels between the two.
13. One should not bathe on Friday. Taking a bath on this day will bring serious illness.
14. Breaking a looking glass means seven years of bad luck.
15. Two children of a couple should not be married within the same year as one of them, usually the younger will encounter difficulties in life.
16. Dwarves are supposed to inhabit a certain part of one’s yard. They should not be disturbed for they are capable of making a person sick. A proof of their existence is the pinch they give to anyone who accidentally gets on their way. The bruise is clearly seen on one’s leg or thigh.

    It is said that dwarves sometimes court human beings. They promise riches to anyone who is willing to leave the earth and live in their underground kingdom.

17. The “mangkukulam” is an ordinary person possessed with supernatural powers. He can bring illness to anyone by pricking with a needle, a doll which he is supposed to own. A person under his influence is mentally deranged and appears to be very sick which doctors cannot diagnose his illness. He becomes thin for lack of sleep but he eats a lot. It is believed that the “mangkukulam” eats with him. No one can cure him except the “mangkukulam” himself and he voluntarily offers to cure the sick person.

FORMS OF PUNISHMENT DURING THE

SPANISH REGIME

During the Spanish rule 1576 up to 1896 the people of Imus suffered a

Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV